Beauty-Full Christmas: Bobbi Brown

Ta-da! It's the beginning of our annual Christmas gift extravaganza!
And who better to start with than yourself? I mean, there are hard times ahead people - if you can't treat yourself to a little something to get you through a bleak, freezing winter, then what can you do? Well, you could get a sugar daddy to get it for you but that requires effort and friends, I an very lazy...

So limber up the credit card, I'm hitting the Bobbi Brown counter.



First things first, I am obsessed with the new Copper Diamond collection (more on the individual make up items next week when they release on counters) and so will be bagging the Beauty Kit posthaste. Okay,yes it's £65 but have you seen how beautiful it is?



And since I'm being so organised, limited edition Lip and Eye palette will make the perfect stocking filler.
It includes:
Berry Mauve Creamy Lip Colour
Pink Sequin Creamy Lip Colour
Exclusive Dusty Mauve Creamy Lip Colour
New, Exclusive Ruby Creamy Lip Colour
Champagne Quartz Metallic Eye Shadow
Gold Dust Metallic Eye Shadow
New, Exclusive Golden Bronze Metallic Eye Shadow
New, Exclusive Galaxy Metallic Eye Shadow

And it's all double tiered with a little drawer! Yes, I am entirely swayed by packaging.
Sigh. I want.
Get it at Bobbi Brown

Also...

If you spend £50 at Boots this weekend, you get 1000 free points, so buy your Halloween shit there and make out like bandits!

If you go today, you can still get the Front Cover Rainbow Eyes eyeshadow kit we featured last week for half price, from tomorrow, you can get an amazing Ruby & Millie colour collection for just £25.00 - that's £25.00 off!

Halloween Extravaganza

I am inexplicably BESIDE MYSELF about Halloween this year... It's all very odd.
Part of this is due to the fact that I have the best costume ever. Zombie Cheerleader. Oh Yes.
Now, as you can imagine, the zombie make up is key to this look (aside from the pom poms and High School Musical outfit) and I'm pleased to say, I've managed to create it from actual beauty prods, rather than face paints. Because you know, ew.

So for the base, you need a really good layer of foundation. I'm using Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse because it's a) cheap and b) heavy enough to hold the colour onto it. Go as pale as you can. In my case, this just means use your regular shade. On top of the foundation, I'm using BeneFit's Snow Job powder eyeshadow which is a lovely icy blue, perfect for that 'dead for three weeks' look. Takes all the pink out of your complexion. Then, I'm shading under the cheekbones with Estee Lauder Silver Ball to really create a hollow look. Ironically, this makes my cheekbones look amazing which is an unexpected bonus.



Once you've got the complexion right, move on to the eyes. The key here is layers, you don't want to be popping off to the loo to top up every five minutes, do you? I'm starting with a base of Urban Decay Primer Potion to keep everything solid and then going all over the lid, into the crease and all around the lower lashline and inner rim with Stila Smudge Pot in Black. This should give everything else something to cling to and if everything else melts away, experience tells me this baby will hang around.



On top of the smudge pot, I'm going with MAC's Knight Divine or Carbon eyeshadow for the upper lid. Blend, blend, blend, taking sold colour up into a stylised wing above the crease and then blending some more out up to the eyebrow. Go as far out as you dare - this is a real chance to be theatrical! There are some brilliant matte blacks out there that would work if you're investing just for this look and don't want to splash out on MAC. Ruby & Millie and GOSH both do pretty good versions.


For the under eye, follow the line of the Smudge Pot with a navy blue. I like the two blues in my the Stila Agate palette for this but again, Gosh and Ruby & Millie do great alternatives. Take it low so it looks like you've got SERIOUS dark circles but stop before you hit your cheek. You want the eyes to look deep with major hollow so again, blending here is key - I don't want to see ANY HARSH LINES!


Once the blue and black are all completely blended together, slick on a couple of layers of mascara, I favour Prescriptives False Lash and then add false eyelashes. You're a hot zombie after all... Once the eyelashes are set, layer on the kohl (I'm going Bad Gal or Urban Decay Zero - I'm not sure yet) all along the inner and outer rims to cover the line of the lash band and define the lower lid. Ta da!

I'm keeping my lips bare with balm and just taking the Snow Job over them to take out the colour but then I'm also wearing a Jessica Simpson wig so I'm not advising you all do as I do.
No, really.



Also, I should mention that none of these prods are designed to make you look gross and when used correctly, they can be all kinds of pretty, especially Silver Ball and Dark Knight which can be combined for the sexiest of smokey eyes.
If you're into that kind of thing.

Bobbi Brown Metallics

As you all know, there are two things in life that are guaranteed to get my attention.
1. Sparkly things
2. Make-up
(And well, three, hot boys with floppy hair and guitars* but that doesn't tie into this post as well so we'll leave that be.)

So imagine my delight when I got wind of the new Bobbi Brown Metallics collection... It's SO pretty!


See how sparkly??? The lipsticks are divine. There are 15 shades to choose from, all of which are purdy and more importantly, they feel lovely. As for the eyeshadows, I don't have enough words. 17 shades of wonder. They're super shimmery, the intensity of the pigment is fabulous so there's no need to be building up twenty-layers to get a true colour and they can be popped out of their little cases and dropped into one of the new palettes. In case you needed another reason to buy several. I'm obsessed with Sage. And Java. And Rockstar. And Midnight. And, oh bloody hell, all of them. Thank GOD they're a permanent part of the line or I'd be bankrupting myself at the counter right now. Who needs to pay a mortgage?

Find our how fab they are for yourself Bobbi Brown counters and at bobbibrown.co.uk now.
I'll be the weirdo lurking at the side rubbing all 17 shades on the backs of my hands...

*Imagine if a hot boy with floppy hair produced the entire collection from his guitar case. Wow. A girl's got to dream, okay?

Naturaleve Organic Beauty

Officially, I am a fan of winter.
Officially, I like tights, Christmas and snuggling up under a blanket and watching X Factor. I mean, going out in the dark so I can pass for 24, not staying in and watching X Factor at all...
But what I don't like is my skin in this weather. I've gone from glowy and gorgeous (relatively speaking) to dry and unpredictable.


Happily, I have a new friend in Naturaleve, a new organic skincare collection dedicated to making me look a bit less shit. Thoughtful, I know. I'm currently obsessed with the Sweet Lips lip balm and Multi-Task Rescue Balm, both chock full of beautiful Soil Association approved organic ingredients including Shea butter and Calendula. Loving the rollerball Nourishing Therapy Oil too which was a lifesaver on my recent flight to Noo Yoik, the lavender oil in there was super relaxing. And cute. And who doesn't love a rollerball? Not enough skincare rolls for my liking.

You can find out more info, including where to get hold of some lovely Naturaleve yourself at naturaleve.co.uk

Celebrity Scissorhands

Can you even believe the clocks went back this weekend?
Seriously, it's totally winter, I've even got my big coat on.
But of course, that means it's time for Children in Need (I know it's not as good as Comic Relief but give it a chance) which means it's time for...


BeautyMecca's beloved Mr Lee Stafford is putting the 'slebs' through their paces once again and honestly, it really is quite funny. Not funny enough for us to donate our own hair to charity but you know, I'll buy a badge or something. Or a Pudsey-shaped biscuit. Do they still have Pudsey?
Never mind.

Visit the Celebrity Scissorhands website to find out more or make an appointment at the salon...

Boots Rainbow Eyes Palette

Well hello beauty lovers, do you like our makeover?
I'm feeling very pretty today...

As of today, we're officially accepting that it is winter which means that I am allowed to start getting excited about Christmas. Which means you have to put up with my Christmas gift guide each and every Friday from now until I'm unwrapping my presents on the 25th December...

And as if I wasn't excited enough, Boots have done the decent thing and put this really rather fabulous eyeshadow palette on special offer - HALF PRICE BABY!
From the 24th to the 29th October, you can score the Front Cover Rainbow Eyes set for just FIFTEEN ENGLISH POUNDS.



The Boots Christmas catalogue holds a special place in my heart and I was super excited when I spotted this new range. It feels very Smashbox to me and the colours are gorgeous. The set includes 25 killer colours and a special solvent to turn the shadows into eyeliner.
Beat the in-store queues and shop online at Boots.com

Besides me actually needing this, it would make the best Christmas present for a friend, a little sister, an unbearably trendy mum... Did I mention me?
Please?
Thanks.

4711 Soap in a Tin

Since I've had a cold for what seems like my entire life, I'm finding big time comfort in nostalgia. And eating an entire pan of mashed potato every night. That's less nostalgia and more greed to be fair but you see where I'm coming from.



But that's one of the reasons I was so super happy to be reminded of 4711 cologne which now comes as this super cute soap in a tin. Here are some of the others:
1. Because as a child I collected soaps and soaps in tins were totally the jewels in my collection
2. My nana had a little bottle of 4711 on her dressing room table and I LOVED messing about with all the stuff on that table... shockingly enough
3. It's perfect for travelling
4. It will make an awesome stocking filler for said nana
5. You can get it from Boots which is easy or Harrods which is posh. Two of my favourite qualities in a shopping experience. Or man.

Ahh, reasons to be cheerful on a Thursday.

I Heart Britney

I don't know about you but I have a lot of love for one Ms Britney Spears and damn it, if using this Look My Way compact will bring me closer to her perfection, use it I WILL. Just don't be surprised if I start pole dancing at the office Christmas party and wearing a pink wig.
Actually, I do have a wig...



Plus, it's also really pretty and would make a perfect present for the tween in your life.
Grab yours from Lloyd's Pharmacy...

Marian Newman Inkredibles

Now you know I tend to get a bit overexcited about, well, everything but at the moment it's a toss up between High School Musical 3 and the witchcraft that is Marian Newman's Inkredibles.
I know what you're thinking, calling your product Inkredibles is setting yourself up for a fall, right? But ooooohhhhhhhhhhh no. These things are AMAZING. I will attempt to explain them without actually crying with joy.



Basically, Inkredibles are nail polishes but instead of being made up of all evil chemicals that can only be dissolved with equally evil chemicals, they are water-based. As if that wasn't enough, they come in cool little click pens, like Stila lip glazes, so they're easy to carry around. But why would you want to carry around nail polishes, I hear you ask? I can't paint my nails on the go! Well, I would say with my jaw agape and my eyes wide, you can now!

The beauty of Inkredibles are that they dry in 10 - 20 seconds. Seriously. And if you get any on your skin, you can WASH IT OFF or use the little 'Moisture' sachet to clean up. Once your nails are perfect, you just set them with the Wrapture glossy topcoat which also sets in mere secons and then you're done. SERIOUSLY. And when you're done, you just wipe the whole lot off with a 'Remove' sachet. See? Incredible.
And if it weren't enough that the product itself is a completely life changing experience, the colours are awful pretty too, I'm loving Black Beth, named after Beth Ditto.

Inkredibles are currently available at Selfridges, £22.00 for a colour, a Wrapture topcoat, Remove sachet and Moisture wipe. Seriously, they have finally put a price on magic.
I am happy.

Beauty University: Elemis Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Mask

Well, hello!
Who's ready for geology?
Erm, okay, who's ready to learn about a fantastic mask that leaves your skin radiant, plumped, smoothed and mositurised and has quartz in it?

That's better.
Prepare to be amazed by Elemis' GORGEOUS mask. Seriously, using it is like someone gave you a slap with the pretty stick.


They say:
This luxurious cream mask combines the power of Quartz with Padina Pavonica, adaptogenic Noni, Moringa and Argan Tree Oil to instantly uplift and hydrate the skin, minimising the signs of ageing for a more youthful, firmer appearance.

I say:
It's just lovely. It smells gorgeous, it looks pretty and it couldn't be easier to use.
And it's got quartz in it which I can't help but feel is a good thing. It makes clocks work and stuff. Grab it before the Christmas parties whither you away to naught but a husk...

Beauty University: Prescriptives Custom Colour

Now, before you can truly partake in Beauty University, you must put in proper foundations... As I may have mentioned on occasion, I am fairly pale so it's important that I get my foundation just right. Now, my picture doesn't feature on this blog often but, cough, here's a NOT GOOD picture of me from my recent birthday... I'm the the one not wearing a waistcoat and holding the diet (but-no-vodka-at-all-and) coke. But you can see my predicament? And my awesome new brunette do.



But I digress, there are so few foundations out there that work for me and about a eighteen months ago, I resigned myself to the fact that I would always look a tiny bit orange. BUT THEN the most magical thing in the world happened... I came across Prescriptives Custom Colour foundation.
And it was magical.

Basically, Custom Colours is made to measure foundation which does exactly what you think it does. They actually make you your own foundation to match your skin! The colour match is perfect but, even more importantly, the actual product is great. It would be so easy to match the colour but then give a shoddy foundation but no. The coverage is perfect, it stays on all day and you get a great big old bottle. I got about eight months out of my first bottle. Can you say about your Dream Matte Mousse? And yes, I know £45 is a lot to spend on foundation (although you get an absolutely bloody amazing mini travel-sized bottle that I can't live without) but really, I have yet to find a foundation that beats it. The foundation, the powder and the concealer are available at Prescriptives counters nationwide, the lipsticks and lip glosses at Harrods, daahling.

Lee Stafford Bling

Tomorrow we start the serious business of Beauty University so here is one last party post before we really knuckle down to business (ahem)...

I don't know about you but I'm starting to get very excited about Christmas. The dodgy seasonal shop is open on my high street, the Boots Christmas Catalogue is out, all the signs are there. All that is left is to lose three stone and get out the hair glitter.
What's that? You don't do hair glitter? Glitter is for tweens and X Factor rejects?



Well, perhaps I can interest you in one Mr Lee Stafford's terribly sophisticated and yet ridiculously fun new range, Bling? The ingenious collection not only preps your hair for the party season ahead, it also includes a Rehab shampoo and conditioning range to make it up to your hair it the morning after. If only all such morning after disasters were so repairable...

As a new brunette (yes, I've gone to the dark side for Autumn Winter), I'm loving the 4 Brunettes Glimmer Serum. It's chocka with vitamins and lovely hazelnut oil to really give shine and shimmer to dark hair. The 4 Blondes version, with lemon and chamomile, looks pretty good too. And I don't care what you say, one spritz of the Sparkle Spray and you'll be converted. This isn't the glitter hairspray of old, this is a gorgeous multi-tone glimmer spray that smells delicious and quite frankly says 'we're here, we're girls and we're here to party' like nothing else. Literally, the easiest way to do a 180 on work hair if you're out straight after the office.

Aside from chugging a glass of champagne and a sambuca in the pub across the road at 5.30.
Which I would never do...

Bypass All Bar One and head straight to Boots to pick up the entire range, everything's under £6.00! Which is considerably cheaper than a champagne and a sambuca in London.
Not that I would know...

Beauty School Dropout

Hey hey!
Sorry, I am an appalling let down and didn't blog from NYC. But rest easy, I'm back now!
Unfortunately, I'm also hungover and super busy.

Of course, I will make it all up to you next week when we graduate from Beauty School to Beauty University...

Until then, do your bit for Breast Cancer Awareness month by checking out the Estee Lauder Pink Ribbon site and buying something beautiful that saves lives.
Over and out.